Façade construction and/or wall construction

ABSTRACT

A façade structure and/or wall structure for a building which includes comprises tiles ( 1 ) and a support structure ( 2 ), in which the tiles ( 1 ) are received oriented in each case in the vertical plane. The support structure ( 2 ) has taut tension elements ( 3 ) with bearing bodies ( 4 ) fastened thereto, wherein the taut tension elements ( 3 ) are preferably formed as taut support cables or as taut tension rods or the like. The several, or at least one, of the tiles ( 1 ) received in the support structure ( 2 ) are held directly or indirectly supported on the bearing bodies ( 4 ) with a weight-supporting bearing, and/or are held locked by means of the bearing bodies ( 4 ). The several or at least one of the bearing bodies ( 4 ) are or is attached axially fixed exclusively to tension elements ( 3 ) oriented vertically in the support structure ( 2 ).

The invention is based on a façade structure and/or wall structure for a building with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Such façade structures and/or wall structures comprise a support structure with tiles received therein. The support structure has taut support cables. The tiles are held oriented in the vertical plane in the support structure with the aid of the taut support cables.

Such a façade structure is known from FR 669.554. The support structure of FR 669.554 is formed by vertical and horizontal steel cables, which have connectors at crossing points. At their vertical and horizontal outer edges the tiles have longitudinal grooves forming an overall circumferential outer groove in which the vertical and horizontal support cables engage. In addition, the façade tiles are supported in each case on two opposite corner points on the connecting bodies arranged at the crossing points of the steel cables.

CN 2010 80660 describes a glass façade structure, wherein glass tiles are fastened to holders supported in a carrier structure. The carrier structure is formed of crossing vertical and horizontal steel cables. Holders of the glass tiles are fastened to the steel cables. To fasten the holders to the glass tiles, the holders pass through the glass tiles at the fastening points.

CN 1048 18790 describes a façade decoration system with a carrier structure, in which parallel steel cables crossing each other are braced in a frame. Hooks, on which tiles are held, are fastened to the steel cables.

DE 1 271 363 describes a façade tile system with a carrier structure with taut wire cables. The wire cables are exclusively vertically oriented, taut wire cables. These vertically oriented wire cables are fastened directly to the building wall at separate support brackets and hold the façade tiles, since the vertical wire cables run in longitudinal grooves formed on the vertical sides of the façade tiles or in vertical cavities. In this way, the vertical support cables each hold several façade tiles arranged one above the other, wherein in each case the lower corner point and the upper corner point of the vertically taut wire cable is fastened to an angled bracket.

Tile systems with flexible support structure are described in EP 2 154 302 B1 and EP 2 707 560 B1 as well as in EP 2 497 861 A1. In EP 2 154 302 B1 and EP 2 707 560 B1, the support structure is a flexible network of crossing, corrugated steel wires. The corrugated steel wires mesh with each other at the crossing points with their corrugations. The tiles each have longitudinal grooves on two opposite edges, in which the steel wires of the support structure engage. To fix the tiles, a mortar joint is provided for the wires running in the joint gaps. In EP 2 497 861 A1, the flexible support structure is formed in the manner of a chain framework, which is formed of horizontally taut parallel support cables, wherein in each case adjacent parallel support cables are connected to each other via connection elements. The parallel support cables pass through core holes of the tiles arranged in the support structure in such a way that the tiles are held on the horizontal support cables in the manner of chain links, with the result that the tile system represents a type of foldable curtain.

The object of the invention is to create a façade structure and/or wall structure of the type mentioned at the beginning which guarantees that the tiles are held securely in the support structure and is easy to install and inexpensive to produce.

This object is achieved with the subject-matter of claim 1.

The subject-matter of claim 1 is a façade structure and/or wall structure for a building. The structure comprises a support structure, in which tiles are received oriented in each case in the vertical plane. The tiles are preferably large-format tiles, preferably made of ceramic material. The tiles are particularly advantageously produced in an extrusion process.

It is important that the support structure has taut supporting tension elements. The supporting taut tension elements can be formed as taut support cables, in particular as taut steel cables or as taut tension rods or as taut chains or as similar elongate tension elements. The support structure is preferably a structure that is supported stationary, preferably made of profiled carriers, which are mounted stationary for example on the outside or inside of a building wall. The tension elements are mounted at bearing points on the support profiles. However, the support structure can also be formed directly by the building wall. In this case, the tension elements are mounted at bearing points directly on the building wall.

In the case of a support structure made of support profiles, the support structure can preferably be formed as a frame-type structure, namely formed of the profiled carriers, which are preferably connected to each other at the corner points. The support structure can be supported in stationary bearings on the floor side or on the roof side, or alternatively or additionally also laterally on corresponding lateral stationary bearings, for example on corresponding laterally adjoining building walls or other stationary carriers.

It is important that the taut tension elements have bearing bodies, which are fastened to the taut tension elements. The bearing bodies serve to support the tiles received in the support structure. It is provided that several, or at least one, of the tiles received in the support structure rest directly or indirectly on the bearing bodies with a weight-supporting bearing, or are held locked by means of the bearing bodies. In this connection, it is important that at least some of the bearing bodies are attached axially fixed exclusively to tension elements oriented vertically in the support structure.

The first and/or alternative, that the tiles rest directly or indirectly on the bearing bodies with a weight-supporting bearing, means that the weight forces of the tile are introduced via the bearing bodies into the vertically oriented tension elements, to which the bearing bodies are attached axially fixed.

The and/or alternative that the tiles are locked by means of the bearing bodies means that the bearing bodies which are attached axially fixed to the tension elements oriented vertically in the support structure act on the tiles such that the tiles are held in their position in the support structure on the tension elements and the tiles thus do not pivot or even fall out of their orientation in their plane of arrangement, preferably the vertical plane. The bearing bodies thus ensure a stable positioning of the tiles in the support structure.

The measure according to the invention that at least some of the bearing bodies are attached axially fixed exclusively to tension elements oriented vertically in the support structure has the result that embodiments with a particularly simple construction become possible, i.e. embodiments with exclusively vertically taut tension elements in the support structure. No horizontally taut crossing tension elements are necessary to receive the bearing bodies. With the tiles being supported on bearing bodies which are attached axially fixed exclusively to tension elements oriented vertically in the support structure, a particularly advantageous assembly is possible, since the tiles are arranged supported on the vertical tension elements of the support structure bearing on the bearing bodies attached thereto, with the result that the tiles rest on the bearing bodies with a weight-supporting bearing, and/or are locked by means of the bearing bodies.

In preferred embodiments, the bearing bodies can be formed as spherical bodies. The bearing bodies can be formed as solid bodies or hollow bodies. In preferred embodiments, the bearing bodies are formed from metallic material.

Different embodiments with different allocation and arrangement of the bearing bodies with respect to the tiles are possible:

In preferred embodiments, it is provided that several of the bearing bodies are allocated to each of the tiles. However, in principle, embodiments in which only one of the bearing bodies is allocated to each of the tiles are also possible.

In particular for a weight-supporting bearing, preferred embodiments provide that in the area of their lower edge several or at least one of the tiles rest or rests on one or more of the bearing bodies. In a preferred development it can be provided here that the tiles or the tile rest or rests on a lower left bearing body in the area of a lower left corner area of the tile and on a lower right bearing body in the area of a lower right corner area of the tile.

In particular for a locking of the tiles by means of the bearing bodies, preferred embodiments provide that several or at least one of the tiles are or is held locked in the area of their upper edge by means of one or more of the bearing bodies. In a preferred development it can be provided that the tiles or the tile are or is held locked in the area of an upper left corner area of the tile by an upper left bearing body and are or is held locked in the area of an upper right corner area of the tile by means of an upper right bearing body.

The bearing bodies and the tiles can cooperate differently with each other. The cooperation can be effected directly or indirectly. The function of the cooperation can be formed primarily in the manner of a weight supporting of the tile but also primarily in the manner of a position locking of the tile.

Embodiments can advantageously provide that several or at least one of the tiles have or has a bearing formed on the tile and the allocated bearing body has in each case a weight-supporting bearing formed on the bearing body, and that the bearing formed on the tile and the weight-supporting bearing formed on the bearing body cooperate directly or via an intermediate element connected in between, preferably forming an extensive bearing and/or forming a positive-locking meshing of the cooperating parts.

Embodiments can advantageously provide that several or at least one of the tiles have or has a bearing formed on the tile and the allocated bearing body has in each case a locking bearing formed on the bearing body, and that the bearing formed on the tile and the locking bearing formed on the bearing body cooperate directly or via an intermediate element connected in between, preferably forming an extensive bearing and/or forming a positive-locking, preferably complementary, meshing of the cooperating parts.

Embodiments in which it is provided that the bearing body is arranged at least partially concealed by the allocated tile are particularly advantageous. Substantial visual advantages result with the concealed arrangement of the bearing bodies.

It can be provided that several or at least one of the bearing bodies are or is attached to the tension element by welding and/or screwing and/or by catching and/or by adhesion and/or by grouting.

With regard to the arrangement of the bearing bodies on the tension elements, preferred embodiments provide that several of the bearing bodies are attached to several or at least one of the tension elements in each case, and that these several bearing bodies have a different spacing from each other or at least the same spacing. In a preferred development it can be provided that the arrangement and the mutual spacing of the bearing bodies on the tension element is determined by the vertical longitudinal extent and/or arrangement of the allocated tiles, and it is preferably provided that the spacing of the bearing bodies is formed as a grid spacing.

In particularly preferred embodiments it is provided that the tension elements of the support structure are formed exclusively as vertically oriented tension elements, preferably vertically oriented support cables.

A particularly stable positioning of the tiles in the support structure is obtained if it is provided that in the area of their vertical side edges or in the area of at least one of their vertical side edges several or at least one of the tiles have or has in each case a longitudinal groove that is open towards the end face of the side edge in question or a through channel running parallel to it, which is or are formed open to the top and bottom and in each case through which one of the vertically oriented tension elements of the support structure passes, with the result that the vertically oriented tension element secures the tile against pivoting out of the vertical tile plane.

Embodiments in which it is provided that, in addition to the vertically oriented tension elements, the support structure also has horizontally oriented tension elements which cross the vertically oriented tension elements at crossing points are possible. It can be provided here that at one or more of the crossing points in each case a connection element is arranged which couples the vertically oriented tension elements to the horizontally oriented tension elements. It can be provided here that the connection element is formed as one of the bearing bodies or is connected to one of the bearing bodies.

In embodiments in which, in addition to the vertically oriented tension elements, horizontally oriented tension elements are also present in the support structure, it can advantageously be provided that in the area of its horizontal upper edge the tile has a longitudinal groove open to the top or, parallel to the horizontal upper edge, it has a horizontal through channel, through which one of the horizontally oriented tension elements passes, with the result that the horizontally oriented tension element secures the tile against pivoting out of the vertical tile plane. It can alternatively or additionally be provided that in the area of its horizontal lower edge the tile has a longitudinal groove open towards the bottom or, parallel to the horizontal lower edge, it has a horizontal through channel, through which one of the horizontally formed tension elements passes, with the result that the horizontally formed tension element secures the tile against tilting out of the vertical tile plane.

Particularly preferred embodiments can provide that several or at least one of the tiles are or is allocated in each case at least one holding element, wherein, for anchoring to the tile, the holding element cooperates with an anchor received in a receiver of the tile and/or has at least one anchoring portion that can be anchored in a receiver of the tile, and wherein the holding element has at least one tension element gripping portion for gripping on at least one of the tension elements allocated to the tiles. It can be provided here that the bearing body cooperates with the holding element, since the holding element, preferably the tension element gripping portion of the holding element, is arranged between a bearing formed on the tile and a bearing formed on the bearing body, which forms a bearing supporting the weight of the tile. It can alternatively or additionally also be provided that the bearing body cooperates with the holding element, since the holding element, preferably the tension element gripping portion of the holding element, is arranged between a bearing formed on the tile and a bearing formed on the bearing body, which forms a bearing locking the position of the tile.

It is important that the support structure has taut supporting tension elements. These supporting taut tension elements can be formed as taut support cables, in particular as taut steel cables or as taut tension rods or as taut chains or as similar taut elongate tension elements. The support structure is preferably a structure that is supported stationary, preferably made of profiled carriers, which are mounted stationary for example on the outside or inside of a building wall. The tension elements are mounted at bearing points on the support profiles. However, the support structure can also be formed directly by a building wall. In this case, the tension elements are mounted in each case directly on the building wall at corresponding bearing points.

With regard to the arrangement of the taut tension elements of the support structure:

In one type of embodiment the support structure has, as taut tension elements, only vertically oriented tension elements, e.g. only vertically oriented support cables. In another type of embodiment the support structure has vertically oriented tension elements and crossing horizontally oriented tension elements, thus e.g. vertically oriented support cables and crossing horizontally oriented support cables.

With regard to the receiving of the tiles in the support structure, it is provided that the tiles received in the support structure are mounted in a weight-supporting manner and/or held locked by means of one or more of the allocated tension elements, namely directly and/or via bearing bodies attached to the tension elements.

Preferred embodiments provide that the receiver of the tile is formed as a receiving space formed inside the tile.

It can be provided here that the receiving space is formed as a horizontal receiving space. This can preferably extend in the area of the lower horizontal edge of the tile and/or in the area of the upper horizontal edge of the tile. However, the receiving space can also be formed as a vertical receiving space. The vertical receiving space can preferably extend along the left side edge of the tile and/or along the right side edge of the tile.

In embodiments which have vertical tension elements, preferably embodiments in which the tension elements are formed exclusively as vertical tension elements, it can be provided that the receiving space extends horizontally in the tile, preferably along a lower and/or upper horizontal edge of the tile, and that two vertical tension elements are allocated to the tile, wherein the first of the vertical tension elements passes through the left lateral edge area of the tile and the second of the vertical tension elements passes through the right lateral edge area of the tile, and that in each case at least one tension element gripping portion of one or more of the holding elements allocated to the tile grips on the first vertical tension element and on the second vertical tension element.

In a preferred development it can be provided here that the anchor is arranged in the horizontal receiving space and its opposite ends cooperate with two holding elements, since the first of the opposite ends of the anchor acts on a portion of the holding element in the manner of an anchoring, wherein with its tension element gripping portion the holding element grips on the first vertical tension element, and since the second of the opposite ends of the anchor acts on the holding element in the manner of an anchoring, wherein with its tension element gripping portion the holding element grips on the second vertical tension element.

In embodiments which have horizontal tension elements, preferably in embodiments in which the tension elements are formed exclusively as horizontal tension elements, it can be provided that the receiving space extends vertically in the tile, preferably along a left and/or right vertical edge of the tile, and that two horizontal tension elements are allocated to the tile, wherein the first of the horizontal tension elements passes through the lower horizontal edge area of the tile and the second of the horizontal tension elements passes through the upper horizontal edge area of the tile, and that in each case at least one tension element gripping portion of one or more holding elements allocated to the tile grips on the first horizontal tension element and on the second horizontal tension element.

In a preferred development it can be provided that the anchor is arranged in the vertical receiving space and its opposite ends cooperate with two holding elements, since the first of the opposite ends of the anchor acts on a portion of the holding element in the manner of an anchoring, wherein with its tension element gripping portion the holding element grips on the first horizontal tension element, and since the second of the opposite ends of the anchor acts on the holding element in the manner of an anchoring, wherein the holding element grips on the second horizontal tension element with its tension element gripping portion.

Embodiments in which the holding element cooperates with an anchor can preferably provide that the anchor has at least one anchoring end, which cooperates with a first portion of the holding element, forming a positive-locking and/or friction-locking connection and/or resilient snap-on connection.

In such embodiments it can preferably be provided that the anchoring end of the anchor has a resilient portion and the first portion of the holding element has at least one protrusion and/or at least one recess, on or in which the resilient portion of the anchoring end engages; or vice versa, namely that the anchoring end of the anchor has at least one protrusion and/or at least one recess and the first portion of the holding element has a resilient portion, which engages on the at least one protrusion and/or in the at least one recess.

In a preferred development it can be provided that the anchor is formed as a double-T-shaped profile, which has a connecting web with two transverse webs at the ends of the connecting web, wherein the resilient portion is formed on the connecting web or the at least one protrusion and/or the at least one recess are or is formed on the connecting web, that in the area of the first portion the holding element has two U arms, on the sides of which facing away from each other or on the sides of which facing each other the at least one protrusion and/or the at least one recess or the resilient portion is formed, and that the anchoring end of the anchor cooperates with the U arms of the holding element, since the connecting web of the double-T-shaped profile of the anchor engages between the U arms of the holding element and the resilient portion cooperates with the at least one protrusion and/or the at least one recess.

A particularly stable positioning and supporting of the tiles results with embodiments which provide that the tile—preferably with a rectangular outline—has four corner areas, wherein in each case at least one tension element gripping portion of a holding element arranged in the receiver of the tile grips in each of the four corner areas.

Embodiments which provide that the holding element is formed as an axially extending, elongate element are also possible, wherein the elongate element has at least one longitudinal portion, which has the tile anchoring portion, and wherein the elongate element has the tension element gripping portion at least at one axial end. It can be provided here that the elongate element has a tension element gripping portion in each case at least at one axial end or at both opposite axial ends. It can be provided that the elongate element has an elastic portion, which is formed preferably elastically curved or preferably elastically undulating, and the tile anchoring portion is formed in the elastic portion, forming an elastic clamping connection through the cooperation of the elastic portion with the inner wall of the receiving space.

With regard to the supporting of the tiles on bearing bodies which are attached to tension elements, it can be provided that several or at least one of the tiles received in the support structure are or is mounted in a weight-supporting manner via bearing bodies attached to the tension elements, wherein it is provided that the bearing body cooperates with the holding element, since the holding element, preferably the tension element gripping portion of the holding element, is arranged between a bearing formed on the tile and a bearing formed on the bearing body, which forms a bearing supporting the weight of the tile. It can alternatively or additionally be provided that several or at least one of the tiles received in the support structure are or is held locked via bearing bodies attached to the tension elements, wherein it is provided that the bearing body cooperates with the holding element, since the holding element, preferably the tension element gripping portion of the holding element, is arranged between a bearing formed on the tile and a bearing formed on the bearing body, which forms a bearing locking the position of the tile.

The invention is explained further below with reference to figures. There are shown in:

FIG. 1a a a first embodiment example of a façade structure and/or wall structure, in front view, showing the tiles in the support structure with vertical support cables;

FIG. 1b a detail representation from FIG. 1 a, in front view with perspective detail, showing the tiles, with L bracket holding elements inserted in the tile, on vertical support cables with spherical bearing bodies attached thereto;

FIG. 1c a section view in FIG. 1a , in a horizontal section plane;

FIG. 1d a section view in FIG. 1c , in a vertical section plane;

FIG. 2a a second embodiment example in front view with perspective detail showing the tile, with L bracket holding elements inserted in the tile, on vertical support cables;

FIG. 2b detail representation from FIG. 2a , showing the L bracket holding element with anchor cut open vertically in front view;

FIG. 2c horizontal section from FIG. 2 b;

FIG. 3a a third embodiment example of a façade structure and/or wall structure, in perspective front view, showing the tiles, with clip-shaped holding elements inserted, on vertical support cables;

FIG. 3b a detail representation of a tile in FIG. 3a , in perspective front view, showing the tile, with clip-shaped holding elements inserted;

FIG. 4a a fourth embodiment example, in perspective detail representation, showing a clip-shaped holding element modified compared with FIGS. 3a to 3 b;

FIG. 4b a top view of the tile with installed holding element of FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5a a fifth embodiment example, in front view, showing the tiles on vertical support cables with parallel double support cables for the horizontal adjoining arrangement of adjacent tiles.

The support structure 2 is represented only by way of example in FIG. 1a . In the case represented, the support structure is made up of vertical support profiles 2 v and horizontal support profiles 2 h. The support profiles form a rectangular frame structure, in which the support profiles are connected to each other in the corner points.

The support structure 2 is intended for a stationary installation, namely for example in front of a building wall outside or inside a building. For this purpose, the support structure 2 can in each case be installed in stationary bearings, not represented, supported on the floor side in the area of the lower horizontal support profile 2 h or on the roof side in the area of the upper horizontal support profile 2 h. Alternatively or additionally, the support structure 2 can also be installed supported correspondingly stationary laterally in the area of its left and right vertical support profiles 2 v, for example on adjoining building walls.

In each case taut support cables 3 are arranged in the support structure 2. In the embodiment examples represented in the figures, exclusively vertically oriented support cables 3 are present, and no crossing horizontal support cables.

In each case, the support cables 3 are fixed with their upper and lower ends in fastening bearings in the upper and lower horizontal support profiles 3 h.

The embodiment examples represented in the figures are façade structures or wall structures in which in each case large-format tiles 1 are mounted in a support structure 2.

The tiles 1 are preferably ceramic tiles. In the cases represented, the tiles 1 in each case have a rectangular outline and are produced in an extrusion process.

Their dimensions are preferably more than 200 mm in horizontal length and more than 100 mm in vertical height. Much larger dimensions of the tiles are conceivable. As a rule, the support structure is story-high.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1b to 1d in the following:

The tiles 1 are mounted on the support cables 3. For this purpose, bearing bodies 4, on which the tiles 1 rest and/or through which the tiles 1 are locked in the support structure against pivoting out of the vertical plane, are attached axially fixed to the vertical support cables. The tiles 1 mounted in the support structure are arranged flush with each other in a common vertical plane. The common vertical plane is spanned by the support cables 3. The tiles 1, which are mounted on the support cables 3, are held in this plane by the bearing bodies 4 and by the support cables themselves, i.e. locked against pivoting out of this plane, which will be explained in even more detail.

In the cases represented, the bearing bodies 4 are formed in each case as spherical bodies. They are attached axially fixed to the vertical support cables 3, for example by welding the bearing bodies to the support cables.

On their left side edge and on their right side edge the tiles 1 have in each case an open longitudinal groove 1 vn, which extends along the vertical side edge of the tile in each case over the whole vertical extent of the tile, or of the side edge. These vertical longitudinal grooves 1 vn have a substantially U-shaped cross section. The left longitudinal groove is open towards the left end face and the right longitudinal groove is open towards the right end face. Furthermore, the longitudinal grooves 1 vn are also open at the ends of their longitudinal extent, i.e. at the top and bottom.

The vertical support cables 3 engage in the vertical longitudinal grooves 1 vn, since they extend in the longitudinal groove in the longitudinal direction and pass through upwards and downwards. The bearing bodies 4 attached to the vertical support cables 3 support the tiles in all four corner points.

With regard to the supporting of the tiles 1 on the bearing bodies 4:

The weight-supporting mounting is effected primarily via the lower bearing bodies 4. In the area of their lower left corner the tiles rest, in each case in a weight-supporting manner, on a lower left bearing body 4 attached to the left support cable 3. In the area of its lower right corner the tile rests in a weight-supporting manner on a lower right bearing body 4 attached to the right support cable 3.

Upper bearing bodies 4 grip in the area of the upper left corner and the upper right corner, namely an upper left bearing body 4 attached to the left support cable 3 grips on the upper left corner, and an upper right bearing body 4 attached to the right support cable 3 grips in the area of the upper right corner. These upper bearing bodies 4 serve primarily to lock the tile in its vertical orientation in the common vertical plane against pivoting out of this plane.

The lower bearing bodies 4 and the upper bearing bodies 4 are formed identically, i.e. in each case as spherical bodies.

In the cases represented, the tiles 1 do not cooperate directly with the bearing bodies 4, i.e. the tiles 1 do not lie directly on the lower and upper support bodies, but in each case on holding elements 5, which are mounted supported in the tiles 1.

The holding elements 5 in the embodiment examples of FIGS. 1b to 1d are formed as L bracket elements, which in each case are arranged inserted in the corner areas of the tiles 1. For this purpose, in addition to the longitudinal grooves 1 vn, which are formed along the left and right vertical edge of the tiles, the tiles 1 also have horizontal longitudinal grooves on the upper horizontal edge and on the lower horizontal edge, namely a horizontal longitudinal groove 1 hn open to the top on the upper horizontal edge, and a horizontal longitudinal groove 1 hn open to the bottom on the lower horizontal edge.

Like the vertical longitudinal grooves 1 vn, the horizontal longitudinal grooves 1 hn are also U-shaped in cross section and open at the ends of their longitudinal extent.

With regard to the design of the holding elements 5:

The holding elements 5 in the embodiment example of FIGS. 1b to 1d are, as already said, L bracket elements. They are formed as special U-shaped profiles. The distinctive feature of the special U-shaped profile is in each case that the U arms 5 u in a first longitudinal portion 51 of the U-shaped profile are longer than the U arms 5 u in a second longitudinal portion 52 of the U-shaped profile adjoining the first longitudinal portion 51. Specifically, the U arms 5 u in the first longitudinal portion 51 have the length L1. The U arms 5 u in the second longitudinal portion have the length L2. The length L1 is greater than the length L2, namely in the specific case the length L1 is approx. three times greater than the length L2. As can be seen from the figures, the longitudinal extent U1 of the first longitudinal portion 51 is shorter than the longitudinal extent of the second longitudinal portion 52.

In the side view of the U-shaped profile, therefore, a substantially L-bracket-shaped configuration results, i.e. the first longitudinal portion 51 of the U-shaped profile with the U arms 5 u of the length L1 forms the first L arm 5 s, and the second longitudinal portion 52 of the U-shaped profile with the U arms 5 u with the length L2 forms the second L arm 5 s.

The holding element 5 designed in this way is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center plane which runs between the U arms 5 u parallel to the extent of the U arms. This makes it possible to arrange the holding element 5 inserted in the tiles in all four corner areas.

In the area of the upper left corner and in the area of the upper right corner, the holding element 5 is arranged inserted in the tile, since the first L arm 5 s formed by the long U arms 5 u is pushed into the upper horizontal longitudinal groove 1 hn, namely forming a clamping connection to the insides of the longitudinal groove. The second L arm 5 s formed by the horizontal U arms 5 u is inserted in the vertical longitudinal groove 1 vn on the left and on the right side edge, respectively, of the tile 1. The free ends of the short U arms stand on the floor of the vertical longitudinal groove 1 vn, forming a receiving space for the vertical support cable 3 passing through the vertical longitudinal groove 1 vn. The receiving space for the support cable 3 is formed by the floor of the longitudinal groove 1 vn and by the space between the short U arm 5 u engaging in the longitudinal groove and the floor of the U-shaped profile.

The holding elements 5 inserted in the corner areas of the tile 1 thus guarantee a stable arrangement of the vertical support cables 3 passing through the left and right longitudinal grooves 1 vn of the tile. Furthermore, the holding elements 5 arranged in the lower left and right corner areas form bearings, with which the tiles rest in a weight-supporting manner on the bearing bodies 4 attached to the support cables 3.

The holding elements 5 arranged in the upper left and right corner areas are in contact with the upper bearing bodies 4 attached to the support cables. The bearing bodies 4 lie on the holding elements 5 inserted in the upper corner areas and thus lock the tiles in their position against pivoting out of the common vertical plane, in which the tiles are arranged flush with each other in the support structure.

The embodiment example of FIGS. 2a to 2c is an embodiment example modified compared with the embodiment example of FIGS. 1a to 1 d. The modification consists of the fact that in the embodiment example of FIGS. 2a to 2c the L-bracket-shaped holding element 5 cooperates with a separate anchor 6. The anchor 6 is formed as a double-T-shaped profile, which is arranged in the horizontal receiving groove and cooperates with the horizontal L arm of the holding element 5. The cooperation consists of the fact that the right end of the anchor 6 represented in FIGS. 2a to 2c cooperates with the right holding element 5. With the left end of the anchor 6, not represented, which extends over the whole longitudinal extent of the tile in its horizontal groove, the anchor 6 cooperates with the left holding element 5, which is arranged in the left corner of the tile. The cooperation of the right end of the anchor 6 with the right holding element corresponds to the cooperation of the left end of the anchor 6 with the left holding element. The holding element 5 is modified compared with the holding element 5 in the embodiment example of FIGS. 1a to 1d to the effect that on their outside the long U arms, which are arranged engaging in the horizontal receiving groove 1 hn of the tile, each have a row of saw-tooth-shaped teeth parallel to each other. Here, the parallel teeth extend in each case transverse to the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal groove 2 hn. On its represented right anchor end, and in the same way on its not represented left anchor end, the anchor 6 has leaf spring mechanisms, which have leaf springs with bent end edges, which engage in the row of saw teeth on the outside of the two U arms of the holding element 5, namely gripping on the steep flank of the respective tooth in the manner of a gripping from behind.

The double-T-shaped profile has a connecting arm, at the ends of which in each case a transversely running T arm is formed. The double-T-shaped profile is arranged in the horizontal longitudinal groove 2 hn such that the connecting web is oriented vertically and the transverse webs are in the horizontal plane, i.e. parallel to the floor of the horizontal longitudinal groove 2 hv with the U-shaped cross section. The double-T-shaped profile is arranged with its vertically running connecting web engaging between the U arms of the holding element 5. The spring mechanism 6 f consists of two leaf springs, which form a Y configuration. The Y arms are fixed with their base portion on the double-T-shaped profile in the area of the vertically oriented connecting arm by a common fastening mechanism. The two Y arms are arranged between the lower and the upper transverse web, namely one Y arm on the left side of the connecting web and the other Y arm on the right side of the connecting web. With its chamfered free end the left Y arm cooperates with the row of saw teeth on the outside of the left U arm of the holding element 5. With its free chamfered end the right Y arm cooperates with the row of saw teeth on the outside of the left U arm of the holding element 5. At the not represented left end of the anchor 5, the left anchor end cooperates in the same way with the U arms of the allocated left holding element 5, i.e. the anchor is anchored with its right anchor end to the right holding element 5 and with its left anchor end to the left holding element 5. The two holding elements 5 are thus braced with each other via the anchor 6. Through this bracing of the two holding elements 5, the allocated vertical support cables 3, which pass through the vertical longitudinal grooves 2 vn on the right and left tile edges, are braced with each other, as the right vertical support cable passes through the receiving space which is formed between the U arms of the vertical L arm of the right holding element 5, and the left vertical support cable passes through the receiving space which is formed by the U arms of the vertical L arm of the left holding element 5.

The two holding elements 5 arranged at the lower corners of the tile, namely the lower right holding element 5 and the lower left holding element 5, are braced with each other via an anchor 6 received in the lower horizontal receiving groove 2 hn in the same way as the two upper holding elements 5 and correspondingly brace the two vertical support cables in this lower horizontal area.

In the embodiment examples in FIGS. 3a to 3b , the holding elements 5 are formed deviating from the previously described design. The holding elements 5 in FIGS. 3a to 3b are formed as elongate, clip-shaped elements which extend axially, i.e. slightly curved substantially in an axial direction. Two such holding elements 5 are inserted in the upper horizontal longitudinal groove 1 hn of the tile 1 in FIGS. 3a to 3b , namely in such a way that the main longitudinal portion of the holding element 5 is arranged extending longitudinally in the left horizontal longitudinal groove, and that the free end of the holding element 5 protrudes into the left vertical longitudinal groove and there grips the vertical support cable 3 passing through the longitudinal groove from behind by means of a hook-shaped end formed on the left end of the support element 50. The right holding element 5 is arranged correspondingly in the right portion of the upper horizontal longitudinal groove 1 hn and engages in the right vertical longitudinal groove with its free right end. The hook-shaped free right end grips on the support cable 3 guided through in the right vertical longitudinal groove. In a corresponding manner, two such holding elements 5 are arranged in the lower horizontal longitudinal groove 1 hn. The left holding element is arranged with its main longitudinal portion in the left half of the lower horizontal longitudinal groove 1 hn and engages in the left vertical longitudinal groove with its free left end, wherein the hook-shaped free left end grips on the vertical support cable 3 guided there. In a corresponding manner, the right holding element 5 rests in the right half of the lower horizontal longitudinal groove 1 hn and grips on the vertical support cable, which passes through the right vertical longitudinal groove, with its hook-shaped free right end.

The anchoring of the holding elements 5 in the tile 1 is effected by the curved shape of the main longitudinal portion of the holding element 5 via elastic clamping connection to the inner wall of the horizontal longitudinal groove. The curved shape is formed such that the main longitudinal portion of the holding element 5 can be pushed into the horizontal longitudinal groove only under elastic deformation and the elastic clamping connection to the inner wall of the longitudinal groove is formed there.

The free ends of the holding elements 5 gripping on the vertical support cables 3 cooperate with the bearing bodies 4 attached to the support cables. In the case of the holding elements 5 arranged in the lower horizontal longitudinal groove 1 hn, the free end which grips on the allocated vertical support cable 3 rests on the bearing body attached to the support cable, with the result that the weight forces of the tile 1 are introduced onto this lower bearing body 4. In the case of the holding elements 5 arranged in the upper horizontal longitudinal groove 1 hn, the free end which grips on the allocated vertical support cable 3 rests, in contact, on the underside of the bearing body 4 attached to the support cable 3, with the result that the arrangement of the support cables 3 passing through the vertical longitudinal groove, and thus the position of the tile, is stabilized and locked by the bearing body 4.

FIG. 4a shows modified holding elements 5 for an embodiment example modified compared with FIGS. 3a to 3b . In the modified embodiment example of FIG. 4a , unlike the holding elements in FIGS. 3a to 3b , in each case only one holding element 5 is arranged in the upper horizontal longitudinal groove and one holding element 5 is arranged in the lower horizontal longitudinal groove. The holding element 5 corresponds in terms of its axial length to the whole longitudinal extent of the tile 1 and thus to the whole longitudinal extent of the horizontal longitudinal groove in which the holding element 5 is received. In the case of its arrangement in the longitudinal groove, its free left end engages in the left vertical longitudinal groove 1 vn and there grips on the left support cable 3 guided through this vertical longitudinal groove. Its free right end engages in the right vertical longitudinal groove 1 vn and there grips on the right support cable 3 guided through this vertical longitudinal groove. The anchoring of the holding element 5 in the longitudinal groove is effected by the curved shape of the main longitudinal portion of the holding element formed between the free ends. The anchoring is thus effected in a manner corresponding to that in the case of the previously described holding elements, namely likewise through an elastic clamping connection of the curved main portion of the holding element pushed into the longitudinal groove. Also in the case of these holding elements 5, the bearing bodies 4 attached to the vertical support cables 3 act in the same way on the tiles via the holding elements 5, i.e. the lower bearing bodies 4 primarily act in a weight-supporting manner, and the upper bearing bodies 4 act in the manner of a stabilizing and locking of the position of the tile against a pivoting of the tile out of the common vertical plane in which the tiles 1 arranged in the support structure are flush with each other.

In FIG. 5a the vertical support cables 3 are arranged in the support structure such that in each case a few separate left and right vertical support cables 3 are available for in each case horizontally adjacent tiles of a row. This has the result that horizontally adjacent tiles of a row can be arranged adjoining each other relatively closely depending on the arrangement of the vertical support cables. The arrangement of the six vertical support cables in FIG. 5a is as follows in the order from left to right:

First vertical support cable spaced apart from the second vertical support cable with spacing: tile length of the left tile

Second vertical support cable spaced apart from the third vertical support cable with spacing: minimum spacing

Third vertical support cable spaced apart from the fourth vertical support cable with spacing: tile length of the middle tile

Fourth vertical support cable spaced apart from the fifth vertical support cable with spacing: minimum spacing

Fifth vertical support cable spaced apart from the sixth vertical support cable with spacing: tile length of the right tile.

The spacing of the horizontally adjoining tiles is determined by the minimum spacing. In the case of the use of bearing elements 4, on which the tiles rest, received axially fixed on the support cables 3, this minimum spacing is determined by the diameter of a bearing body 4, or the minimum spacing is determined by the minimum receiving depth with which the vertical support cables have to be received in the vertical longitudinal groove 1 vn in order to guarantee a stable hold of the tiles in the vertical plane spanned by the vertical support cables.

List of Reference Numbers

1 tile

1 vn longitudinal groove on the left and right vertical side edge of the tile

1 hn longitudinal groove on the upper and lower horizontal edge of the tile

2 support structure

2 h horizontal support profile

2 v vertical support profile

3 support cable

4 bearing body

5 holding element

5 u U arm

5 s L arm

51 first longitudinal portion of the U-shaped profile

52 second longitudinal portion of the U-shaped profile

6 anchor

6 f spring mechanism

6 n rivet connection

U1 length of the first longitudinal portion 51 of the U-shaped profile

U2 length of the second longitudinal portion 52 of the U-shaped profile

L1 length of the U arm 5 u of the first longitudinal portion 51 of the U-shaped profile

L2 length of the U arm of the second longitudinal portion 52 of the U-shaped profile 

1. A façade structure and/or wall structure for a building, comprising tiles and a support structure, in which the tiles are received oriented in each case in the vertical plane, wherein it is provided that the support structure (has taut tension elements with bearing bodies fastened thereto, and that several, or at least one, of the tiles received in the support structure rest directly or indirectly on the bearing bodies with a weight-supporting bearing, and/or are held locked by means of the bearing bodies, and wherein several or at least one of the bearing bodies are or is attached axially fixed exclusively to tension elements oriented vertically in the support structure.
 2. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein only one of the bearing bodies or several of the bearing bodies is or are allocated to each of the tiles.
 3. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein, in the area of their lower edge several or at least one of the tiles (rest or rests on one or more of the bearing bodies.
 4. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 3, wherein the tiles or the tile rest or rests on a lower left bearing body in the area of a lower left corner area of the tile and on a lower right bearing body in the area of a lower right corner area of the tile.
 5. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein, several or at least one of the tiles is or are held locked in the area of their upper edge by means of one or more of the bearing bodies.
 6. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 5, wherein the tiles or the tile are or is held locked in the area of an upper left corner area of the tile by an upper left bearing body and are or is held locked in the area of an upper right corner area of the tile by means of an upper right bearing body.
 7. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein several or at least one of the tiles have or has a bearing formed on the tile and the allocated bearing body has in each case a weight-supporting bearing formed on the bearing body, and wherein the bearing formed on the tile and the weight-supporting bearing formed on the bearing body cooperate directly or via an intermediate element connected in between.
 8. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein several or at least one of the tiles have or has a bearing formed on the tile and the allocated bearing body has in each case a locking bearing formed on the bearing body, and wherein the bearing formed on the tile and the locking bearing formed on the bearing body cooperate directly or via an intermediate element connected in between.
 9. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein, the bearing body is arranged at least partially concealed by the allocated tile.
 10. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein, several or at least one of the bearing bodies are or is attached to the tension element by welding and/or screwing and/or by catching and/or by adhesion and/or by grouting.
 11. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein several of the bearing bodies are attached to several or at least one of the tension elements in each case, and wherein these several bearing bodies have a different spacing from each other or have at least the same spacing.
 12. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 11, wherein the arrangement and the mutual spacing of the bearing bodies on the tension element is determined by the vertical longitudinal extent and/or arrangement of the allocated tiles.
 13. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein the tension elements of the support structure are formed exclusively as vertically oriented tension elements.
 14. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein, in the area of their vertical side edges or in the area of at least one of their vertical side edges, several or at least one of the tiles have or has in each case a longitudinal groove that is open towards the end face of the side edge in question or a through channel running parallel to it, which is formed open to the top and bottom and in each case through which one of the vertically oriented tension elements of the support structure passes, with the result that the vertically oriented tension element secures the tile against pivoting out of the vertical tile plane.
 15. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein, in addition to the vertically oriented tension elements, the support structure also has horizontally oriented tension elements which cross the vertically oriented tension elements at crossing points.
 16. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 15, wherein, at one or more of the crossing points in each case, a connection element is arranged which couples the vertically oriented tension elements to the horizontally oriented tension elements.
 17. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 16, wherein the connection element is formed as one of the bearing bodies or is connected to one of the bearing bodies.
 18. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 15, wherein, in the area of its horizontal upper edge the tile has a longitudinal groove open to the top or, parallel to the horizontal upper edge, has a horizontal through channel, through which one of the horizontally oriented tension elements passes, with the result that the horizontally oriented tension element secures the tile against pivoting out of the vertical tile plane.
 19. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 15, wherein, in the area of its horizontal lower edge, the tile has a longitudinal groove open to the bottom or, parallel to the horizontal lower edge, has a horizontal through channel, through which one of the horizontally formed tension elements passes, with the result that the horizontally formed tension element secures the tile against tilting out of the vertical tile plane.
 20. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 1, wherein several or at least one of the tiles are or is allocated in each case at least one holding element, wherein, for anchoring to the tile, the holding element cooperates with an anchor received in a receiver of the tile and/or has at least one anchoring portion that can be anchored in a receiver of the tile, and wherein the holding element has at least one tension element gripping portion for gripping on at least one of the tension elements allocated to the tiles.
 21. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 20, wherein the bearing body cooperates with the holding element, since the holding element is arranged between a bearing formed on the tile and a bearing formed on the bearing body, which forms a bearing supporting the weight of the tile.
 22. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 20, wherein the bearing body cooperates with the holding element, since the holding element is arranged between a bearing formed on the tile and a bearing formed on the bearing body, which forms a bearing locking the position of the tile.
 23. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 20, wherein the receiver of the tile is formed as a receiving space formed inside the tile.
 24. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 23, wherein the receiving space extends horizontally in the tile, and wherein two vertical tension elements are allocated to the tile, wherein the first of the vertical tension elements passes through the left lateral edge area of the tile and the second of the vertical tension elements passes through the right lateral edge area of the tile, and wherein, in each case at least one tension element gripping portion of one or more of the holding elements allocated to the tile grips on the first vertical tension element and on the second vertical tension element.
 25. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 24, wherein the anchor is arranged in the horizontal receiving space and its opposite ends cooperate with two holding elements, since the first of the opposite ends of the anchor acts on a portion of the holding element in the manner of an anchoring, wherein with its tension element gripping portion the holding element grips on the first vertical tension element, and since the second of the opposite ends of the anchor acts on the holding element in the manner of an anchoring, wherein with its tension element gripping portion the holding element grips on the second vertical tension element.
 26. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 24, wherein the receiving space extends vertically in the tile, and wherein two horizontal tension elements are allocated to the tile, wherein the first of the horizontal tension elements passes through the lower horizontal edge area of the tile and the second of the horizontal tension elements passes through the upper horizontal edge area of the tile, and in that in each case at least one tension element gripping portion of one or more holding elements allocated to the tile grips on the first horizontal tension element and on the second horizontal tension element.
 27. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 26, wherein the anchor is arranged in the vertical receiving space and its opposite ends cooperate with two holding elements, since the first of the opposite ends of the anchor acts on a portion of the holding element in the manner of an anchoring, wherein with its tension element gripping portion the holding element grips on the first horizontal tension element, and since the second of the opposite ends of the anchor acts on the holding element in the manner of an anchoring, wherein with its tension element gripping portion the holding element grips on the second horizontal tension element.
 28. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 20, wherein the anchor has at least one anchoring end, which cooperates with a first portion of the holding element, forming a positive-locking and/or friction-locking connection and/or resilient snap-on connection.
 29. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 28, wherein the anchoring end of the anchor has a resilient portion and the first portion of the holding element has at least one protrusion and/or at least one recess, on or in which the resilient portion of the anchoring end engages; or wherein the anchoring end of the anchor has at least one protrusion and/or at least one recess and the first portion of the holding element has a resilient portion, which engages on the at least one protrusion and/or in the at least one recess.
 30. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 29, wherein the anchor is formed as a double-T-shaped profile, which has a connecting web with two transverse webs at the ends of the connecting web, wherein the resilient portion is formed on the connecting web or the at least one protrusion and/or the at least one recess are or is formed on the connecting web, wherein the area of the first portion the holding element has two U arms, on the sides of which facing away from each other or on the sides of which facing each other the at least one protrusion and/or the at least one recess or the resilient portion is formed, and wherein the anchoring end of the anchor cooperates with the U arms of the holding element, since the connecting web of the double-T-shaped profile of the anchor engages between the U arms of the holding element and the resilient portion cooperates with the at least one protrusion and/or the at least one recess.
 31. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 20, wherein the tile has four corner areas, wherein in each case at least one tension element gripping portion of holding elements arranged in the tile grips in each of the four corner areas.
 32. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 20, wherein the holding element is formed as an axially extending, elongate element, wherein the elongate element has at least one longitudinal portion, which has the tile anchoring portion or the portion cooperating with the anchor, and wherein the elongate element has the tension element gripping portion at least at one axial end.
 33. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 32, wherein the elongate element forming the holding element has a tension element gripping portion in each case at least at one axial end or at both opposite axial ends.
 34. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 32, wherein the elongate element forming the holding element has an elastic portion, and the tile anchoring portion is formed in the elastic portion, forming an elastic clamping connection through the cooperation of the elastic portion with the inner wall of the receiving space.
 35. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 20, wherein several or at least one of the tiles received in the support structure are or is mounted in a weight-supporting manner via bearing bodies attached to the tension elements, wherein it is provided that the bearing body cooperates with the holding element, since the holding element, is arranged between a bearing formed on the tile and a bearing formed on the bearing body, which forms a bearing supporting the weight of the tile.
 36. The façade structure and/or wall structure according to claim 20, wherein several or at least one of the tiles received in the support structure are or is held locked via bearing bodies attached to the tension elements, wherein it is provided that the bearing body cooperates with the holding element, since the holding element, is arranged between a bearing formed on the tile and a bearing formed on the bearing body, which forms a bearing locking the position of the tile. 